We aimed to compare the effects of polymeric ceramic inlay and full crown restoration on patients with dental defects. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted, in which 106 patients with dental defects treated in the hospital were selected and divided into an inlay group (n=53, treated with polymeric ceramic inlay) and a full crown group (n=53, treated with full crown restoration) in a randomized controlled manner. The success rate of restoration, dental aesthetics, and adverse events during restoration in the two groups were observed, and the severity of pain (Mohd Sulong pain grade) and the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-8] in the gingival crevicular fluid before restoration and at 3 d after restoration were compared. After wearing the prostheses for 1 year, the success rate of restoration in the inlay group was higher than that of the full crown group (96.23% vs. 83.02%), and the dental aesthetics of the inlay group was better than that of the full crown group (P<0.05). Three days after restoration, the inlay group had lower Mohd Sulong pain grade and levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 than those of the full crown group (P<0.05). Compared with full crown restoration, polymeric ceramic inlay can result in a higher success rate of restoration and better aesthetics in treating dental defects, and it can alleviate the pain and inflammation stimulation to patients.